Information Doesn't Want to Be Free

Cory Doctorow's broadside against copyrights is well suited for the audiobook format. The short chapters move quickly, the musical cues maintain momentum, and Wil Wheaton's persuasive narration pilots the whole production with a confident forward motion. Doctorow's thesis--that fame trumps talent, people want free stuff, and individual copying is a benign form of expression--is clearly and convincingly conveyed. Creators have to give up on worrying about piracy and rely on fans to supplement their income. Alas, moments after Wheaton's compelling narration ends, a reminder is heard that Blackstone Audio (which owns the audio copyright) does not tolerate the type of unauthorized copying and distribution that the author espouses. R.W.S. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine